The Institute for Research and Training in Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Ecological Production (IFAPA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development of the Junta de Andalucía has played a leading role in the development of biological control in crops of greenhouse since the beginning of the 90s. As a result of the work carried out, in 2007 the first "Illustrated Guide to pests and natural enemies in greenhouse horticultural crops" was published in paper format, which was widely accepted by the sector, rapidly depleting the first edition. In 2010, a second updated edition was published, also very well received by professionals in the sector.
This app developed by the Sustainable Plant Protection group of the IFAPA Center in Almería, is the third digitized and updated edition, which includes more than 200 photographs to facilitate the identification of pests and natural enemies in greenhouse horticultural crops. It is a practical and agile help tool, with which we hope to continue contributing to the dissemination of biological pest control and to the training of professionals in the sector.
On the other hand, diseases caused by viruses are limiting factors in sheltered horticultural crops. Since the beginning of protected horticulture in Andalusia until today, more than thirty virus diseases have affected different species of cucurbits,
Solanaceae and legumes, which has made it necessary to seek solutions such as resistance, improvements to greenhouse structures or to find new ways to control vectors and manage crops.
The expression of certain symptoms in plants can indicate the presence of one or more viruses. Any diagnosis should entail a laboratory analysis to confirm the cause of a symptom, but an image is worth a thousand words, and can guide the diagnosis and establish preventive control measures "in situ".
This same app includes more than 57 photos of 25 of the most important viruses in greenhouse horticultural crops. It is a practical and agile help tool, with which we hope to continue contributing to the knowledge of diseases caused by viruses and the training of professionals in the sector.